Jeff Tedford named B.C. Lions head coach

Jeff Tedford is back in coaching. He was recently released from his contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and has found a job North of the Border.

Tedford has been hired as the B.C. Lions head coach in the Canadian Football League.

Jeff Tedford (Getty Images)

After a year away from coach, he was brought on by new Bucs head coach Lovie Smith to be the offensive coordinator. However, he would not even coach a game due to a heart ailment.

He decided to take a leave of absence, and was released last week to pursue other coaching opportunities.

He’s a former CFL quarterback, and had stints for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Calgary Stampeders, Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers during his six seasons in the league.

He already knows Lions GM Wally Buono, who he coached under from 1989 through 1991.

Tedford was previously the head coach from 2002 through 2012. During that time, he groomed Aaron Rodgers, who has become one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers.

Prior to arriving in Berkeley, he was the Oregon Ducks offensive coordinator from 1998 through 2001. He also was the quarterbacks coach at Fresno State Bulldogs in 1992 and the team’s offensive coordinator from 1993 through 1997.